How to use a Mantra in Yoga Practice by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati http://www.swamij.com/mantra-use.htm
this strikes me as a good un-biased overview,
and btw, TM manages to hit all the high points...
confirming that technique-wise, maharishi got it right!
("Swami J" is American-born, yet ordained into Swami order in India)
